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Fasting_by_Ghazali, page : 23
5. Over indulgence when breaking the fast, even when the food is halal. The
spirit as well as the secret of fasting is to weaken the flesh which is satan's
tool for turning mankind back to evil.
6. After breaking the fast, the heart should remain in a state of suspense
between fear and hope as one does not know whether the fast has been
accepted. Al Ahnaf, Kays son was once told, "You are an old man, and fasting
will make you weak." He replied, "This fast is my preparation for a long
journey. Indeed, to endure the yoke in the service of Allah is easier than to
endure the yoke of His punishment.
The fasting person who is not truly fasting is the one, who while in a state of
hunger and thirst allows himself every freedom in sin. But those who truly
understand fasting and its secret know that whosoever abstains from food,
drink, sexual intercourse but commits all manner of sins is like the person
who, in performing the ablution runs his hand over one of his limbs thrice,
thereby outwardly fulfilling the Law as far as the limb is concerned, but
neglecting the truly important thing which is the actual washing. Consequently
because of his ignorance, his prayer is rejected.
spirit as well as the secret of fasting is to weaken the flesh which is satan's
tool for turning mankind back to evil.
6. After breaking the fast, the heart should remain in a state of suspense
between fear and hope as one does not know whether the fast has been
accepted. Al Ahnaf, Kays son was once told, "You are an old man, and fasting
will make you weak." He replied, "This fast is my preparation for a long
journey. Indeed, to endure the yoke in the service of Allah is easier than to
endure the yoke of His punishment.
The fasting person who is not truly fasting is the one, who while in a state of
hunger and thirst allows himself every freedom in sin. But those who truly
understand fasting and its secret know that whosoever abstains from food,
drink, sexual intercourse but commits all manner of sins is like the person
who, in performing the ablution runs his hand over one of his limbs thrice,
thereby outwardly fulfilling the Law as far as the limb is concerned, but
neglecting the truly important thing which is the actual washing. Consequently
because of his ignorance, his prayer is rejected.